Hi Folks. I have just purchased a nice copy of a 1984 MacGregor 222. Short boom. It apears to be the nearly perfect boat for the wife and I. However, I have just discovered that ALL the rigging was done with Nico-Press fittings. Can anyone tell me if the factory did that or some one down line?? Makes it easy to do repairs but will it stand the strain?? Thanks, Jack
Nico-Press wonderment
- Thread starter YardBird
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Swaging with Nico-press
Macgregor did indeed nicopress swage the standing rigging. Nicopress swages are as strong as they need to be. Aircraft use nicopress. Originally engineered by PacTel and the FAA accepted them. I have never heard of a swage like that in good condition failing, chainplates would probaaly pull out first. John S Boise
Macgregor did indeed nicopress swage the standing rigging. Nicopress swages are as strong as they need to be. Aircraft use nicopress. Originally engineered by PacTel and the FAA accepted them. I have never heard of a swage like that in good condition failing, chainplates would probaaly pull out first. John S Boise
Nicopress answer, TNX
Thanks John. That is the answer I was hoping for. It makes my life simpler. I guess the boatyards where I used to work didn't like them because they weren't expencive enough. I do remember them in the Air Force on the C141's also. As small as the sails are on this boat, I'm not going to worry about it any further.
TNX again, jack
Thanks John. That is the answer I was hoping for. It makes my life simpler. I guess the boatyards where I used to work didn't like them because they weren't expencive enough. I do remember them in the Air Force on the C141's also. As small as the sails are on this boat, I'm not going to worry about it any further.
TNX again, jacknicopress caveats
In the hanggliding world, the word (don't know why) is "don't use double nicos on a cable termination". That advice comes from mechs who make the cables from which our lives hang. This I can speak from personal knowledge: if you are going to press cable fittings, know that there are at least four manufacturors (probably a lot more) of nico-TYPE fittings and compression tools. Each has their own measurement spec for when a fitting is adequately compressed. Be sure you use the measurements developed by the actual manufacturor of the fitting you are using if the application is important.
In the hanggliding world, the word (don't know why) is "don't use double nicos on a cable termination". That advice comes from mechs who make the cables from which our lives hang. This I can speak from personal knowledge: if you are going to press cable fittings, know that there are at least four manufacturors (probably a lot more) of nico-TYPE fittings and compression tools. Each has their own measurement spec for when a fitting is adequately compressed. Be sure you use the measurements developed by the actual manufacturor of the fitting you are using if the application is important.
Caveats
I think Nico-press is a brand name. I made up many wire sets for the hang gliders I used to instruct on. I never saw a problem with a double swage and those gliders were routinely abused. I am pretty sure that AC43.13-1A&2A (which is the FAA written material that deals with nico-presses) gives the mechanic the option of a double or single swage. The double does not make the wire any stronger, but it can cover up and hide some pretty sharp edges on the wire end. Once again, I have to say that the nico-press swages on our Macs have stood the test of time, through neglect and abuse that neither the wire nor swage was designed to withstand. The swages are STRONGER than the cables they are on. Isn't about ten years the recommended life of standing rigging? How many failures have we heard of? Until I replaced mine this year, my boat was sailed with over 15 year old cables and swges. John S Hang 4 Region 5
I think Nico-press is a brand name. I made up many wire sets for the hang gliders I used to instruct on. I never saw a problem with a double swage and those gliders were routinely abused. I am pretty sure that AC43.13-1A&2A (which is the FAA written material that deals with nico-presses) gives the mechanic the option of a double or single swage. The double does not make the wire any stronger, but it can cover up and hide some pretty sharp edges on the wire end. Once again, I have to say that the nico-press swages on our Macs have stood the test of time, through neglect and abuse that neither the wire nor swage was designed to withstand. The swages are STRONGER than the cables they are on. Isn't about ten years the recommended life of standing rigging? How many failures have we heard of? Until I replaced mine this year, my boat was sailed with over 15 year old cables and swges. John S Hang 4 Region 5
more on nico's
yep, double nicos are used in hang gliders but the second one is really only there to cover the bitter end. 100% of the strength comes from a single. We abused the hell out of the wires on our trainers in a beach environment. The only problem with nico's and thimbles on Mac's is they won't fit through a furler foil if you want to convert to roller furling. Jim And for John S's benefit: Master, Advanced instructor, Observer, Examiner and Tandem instructor.region 2 but now retired from all the above to sail.
yep, double nicos are used in hang gliders but the second one is really only there to cover the bitter end. 100% of the strength comes from a single. We abused the hell out of the wires on our trainers in a beach environment. The only problem with nico's and thimbles on Mac's is they won't fit through a furler foil if you want to convert to roller furling. Jim And for John S's benefit: Master, Advanced instructor, Observer, Examiner and Tandem instructor.region 2 but now retired from all the above to sail.
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